Classic Bourbon Old Fashioned

Classic Bourbon Old Fashioned

When you get right down to it, the Bourbon Old Fashioned is little more than a slug of whiskey, seasoned and sweetened. Yet for all of its suave simplicity, the drink remains as relevant today as it was when it first captured drinkers’ hearts 200 years ago.

If you’re a history buff, you could draw a straight line connecting this drink to the first recorded definition of the cocktail category in general (circa 1806), which called for spirits, sugar, water and bitters. The Old Fashioned hits all those marks, with whiskey, sugar, water and aromatic bitters. You could also skip the history lesson and simply make the drink. Do the latter if you’re getting thirsty.

Start by using good bourbon, the rule being that if you wouldn’t sip it by itself it has no place at the helm of a Bourbon Old Fashioned. (There are other whiskey drinks for masking subpar booze—this isn’t one of them.) From there, the cocktail-minded seem to break into two camps: simple syrup or muddled sugar.

While a barspoon of syrup can cut your prep time in half, it robs the drink of some of the weight and texture that provides its deep appeal. If you want to make the drink like they did back in the 19th century, granulated sugar or a sugar cube is the way to go. If you want to make the cocktail with more of a modern twist, opt for simple syrup. (Although what’s the big rush? The Bourbon Old Fashioned isn’t going anywhere.) Just know that simple syrup adds a bit more water to your drink, so you may need to adjust your ice and stirring accordingly.

Bourbon Old Fashioned

Bourbon Old Fashioned

Classic spin on an old faithful cocktail
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 1 drink

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 tsp water
  • 2 oz KINGS COUNTY BOURBON
  • orange peel garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add the sugar and bitters into a rocks glass, then add water, and stir until sugar is nearly dissolved.
  • Fill the glass with large ice cubes, add the bourbon, and gently stir to combine.
  • Express the oil of an orange peel over the glass, then drop in.
Keyword Bourbon, Cocktails, Kentucky Derby, Old Fashioned

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